When it was initially announced that the 16 participating bands at the inaugural Elmwood Village ArtFest were not going to get paid for their performances, an uproar ensued. Realizing that they had a chance to step in and save the day, Jack Rabbit decided that they could rally the troops, to raise funds for the musicians. They did so by turning to their friends in the restaurant community Three Chord, 42 North, and CBW, all of which decided to contribute to the cause.
Let’s hand it to Jack Rabbit for continuing to provide local musicians with the assets that they need to survive, and thrive in Buffalo. The establishment has undergone plenty of its own issues, trying to establish a healthy live music scene on Elmwood, which is what makes this undertaking even more impressive.
“We believe in compensating musicians any time they play. Supporting the local music scene has always been priority number one for us,” said Jack Rabbit co-owner and operator, Josh Mullin, who has announced that his own establishment will help pitch in for the funding effort.
“We understand the Elmwood Village Association stepped up to continue the tradition of this wonderful festival and we just want to do our part to help them and ensure this great organization continues to put on this festival,” added Jack Rabbit co-owner and operator Jake Monti.
“It’s always been our goal to unite the local music scene and as local musicians ourselves, when we saw this turmoil we had to do whatever we could to help,” stated Kevin Sampson, partner at Jack Rabbit.
It’s these types of community partnerships and contributions that will ensure the success of this newly founded and formatted art festival effort.
The Elmwood Village ArtFest is set to kick off this coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday, on the 700 block on Elmwood Avenue. For all of the details on the festival, click here.
Saturday, August 26th
Artists on Elmwood Avenue 11am – 6pm
Live music, performances, and beer at Bidwell Parkway 11am – 8pm
KidsZone at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church from 12pm – 4pm
Sunday, August 27th
Artists on Elmwood Avenue 11am – 5pm
Live music, performances, and beer at Bidwell Parkway 11am – 7pm
KidsZone at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church from 12pm – 4pm
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